Lockett was flown to Hartford Hospital by Life Star after the crash shortly before 5:30 a.m. Sunday on Interstate 91 northbound near Exit 15.

Lockett was the passenger in a 2008 Nissan Altima that had broken down and stopped in the left-most lane of the highway just before Exit 15. She was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, police said.

“Pearl was a sweet and gentle soul and the YP leadership is sending love and prayers to her family and loved ones,” the group wrote. “She will be missed.”

Greg Bennett, the policy and procedures committee chairman for the Young Professionals, had been close friends with Lockett for more than 10 years. He said she had been part of the Young Professionals marketing team and had worked with that group for about a year. He said she had worked with the League before that.

“It’s definitely a shock,” he said. “It’s going to be a great loss for us.”

Bennett said Lockett was a devoted Jehovah’s Witness and he believes her strong faith shaped her selfless, caring personality.

“She was very giving,” he said. “She would really take care of everyone.”

Lockett’s work with the Young Professionals was in a volunteer capacity. Professionally, she worked for Community Health Services in Hartford, Bennett said.

Police have said the Altima was hit from behind by a 2003 Lincoln Navigator. The Altima was knocked into the grassy median and the Navigator ended up on the Exit 15 off-ramp.

The driver of the Altima, a Manchester man, 28, was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital with suspected serious injuries.

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The driver and passenger of the Navigator, both Meriden men, 25, were also taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital for treatment.